ARTIST PROFILE

South Africa (b. 1969 in Johannesburg)

Currently in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Jenny returned to her art practice in 2012 working in sculpture, installation and photography. Nijenhuis was a finalist in the 2017 Sasol New Signatures and in 2016 she initiated the SA’s Dirty Laundry installation.

Weapons of Mass Destruction

Weapons of Mass Destruction | 2016 - 2018

Who are you?
What do you believe?
What are you irrevocably dedicated to?
I’m asking about the things you’re prepared to stand up for, the things which, for you, are right and truth.
You spend years, a whole lifetime, honing your precious beliefs. You become so attached to your beliefs that you will defend them even when there is evidence proving your belief may be wrong.
As a white girl in South Africa I grew up believing that black lives mattered less.
As a girl in a Catholic school I grew up believing that I would go to hell for masturbating.
As teenage girl, I grew up believing that my sexuality could become my reputation and that my moral centre is in my crotch.
We all develop our own personal view of life based on years of conditioning and learned behaviour. Our society provides the rules of living; what we are free to say and what is acceptable in terms of faith, politics, ethics and action. From birth each of us is manipulated by laws and taught what is believed to be acceptable moral conduct and ethical behaviour. As a result, our own moral code and understanding of what is right and wrong, acceptable or not, is bigoted.
Wait a moment, while I throw my precious beliefs at you like a hand grenade, polished and self-righteous.
Is there a difference between deadly beliefs that kill and brave ones enacted in the name of maintaining the law?
How can we kill in the name of God?
The things we do with our cherished belief… in the name of faith, in the name of love, in the name of being right.
This is what I believe.
GOD HELP US